Saturday’s Roster Moves: What They Mean vs. Vikings

Promising young safety Micah Abernathy was swiped off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad on Saturday. Plus, two players were elevated from the practice squad for Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Dec 31, 2022 9:20 PM EST
Original:
Dec 31, 2022

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers not only didn’t elevate safety Micah Abernathy from the practice squad to provide insurance for Keisean Nixon, they lost him altogether.

Abernathy was poached off the practice squad and signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ 53-man roster on Saturday, according to a source.

That was one of three transactions that impacted the Packers on Saturday. Here's what they mean for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Lost: S Micah Abernathy

The Packers could have kept Abernathy by signing him to their 53-man roster, though that would have required a corresponding roster move. The decision perhaps bodes well for Nixon’s availability for Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Abernathy was one of the great stories of training camp. With Green Bay’s safety corps hit hard by injuries, he was signed midway through camp and thrown right into the fire. With the team for barely a week, Abernathy made a highlight-reel interception in a preseason game against the Saints.

“You don’t want any guys to get hurt,” Abernathy said that night. “That’s not what you’re hoping for. But you just try to make the most of your opportunities. I was able to play a lot more tonight because of injuries. Just try to make the most of it.”

A three-year starter at Tennessee, Abernathy went undrafted in 2019. He spent his rookie training camp with the Vikings but failed to make their roster. His NFL dreams might have been dead if not for the USFL. Earning a starting job for the Houston Gamblers, he finished third on the team in tackles and added two interceptions. That experience allowed him to hit the ground running in Green Bay, even while having to learn the defense on the fly.

Abernathy made the 53-man roster coming out of camp, only to be released when the Packers signed veteran Rudy Ford.

He was elevated to the gameday roster twice. He played one snap on defense and 13 on special teams in the opener at Minnesota and last month at Chicago. However, the Packers vaulted Innis Gaines over Abernathy when they promoted Gaines to the 53-man roster last month. Gaines and rookie Tariq Carpenter have become key members of the special teams down the stretch.

“It’s definitely crazy but it’s what I prayed for,” Abernathy said during camp. “I’m happy for the opportunity that the Packers have given me. I’m happy for the opportunity to play in the USFL. I don’t know. I’m just grateful. I’ve just got to thank God for it.”

Elevated: Tyler Goodson, Ramiz Ahmed

- The Packers elevated running back Tyler Goodson, the undrafted rookie’s first time on the gameday roster.

In three preseason games, Goodson led the Packers with 107 rushing yards. His eight receptions were one off the team lead. He had a 24-yard touchdown run and a 23-yard reception on his resume.

“Preseason was a stepping stone for me,” he said during camp. “I’ve got to keep the momentum going and keep preparing like I’ve been preparing. Hopefully everything goes the way I want it to and I make this team.”

With 4.42 speed in the 40 and a history of pass-catching prowess with 70 receptions in three seasons at Iowa, Goodson could provide some explosive insurance should starter Aaron Jones be limited again.

- The Packers elevated kicker Ramiz Ahmed from the practice squad to handle kickoffs against the Vikings. Veteran Mason Crosby has been reliable on field goals but struggled with kickoffs; the Vikings feature one of the best kickoff returners in the NFL.

- The Packers did not elevate defensive tackle Chris Slayton from the practice squad. The Packers are a man down after placing veteran Dean Lowry on injured reserve this week, a calf injury ending Lowry’s impressive streak of 101 consecutive games.

First-round pick Devonte Wyatt, who has delivered some quality play in limited snaps the past couple games, will assume Lowry’s playing time. Who will assume the mantle of fifth defensive lineman? That will be seventh-round pick Jonathan Ford, who has been inactive for all 15 games this season.

Slayton, a seventh-round pick by the Giants in 2019, pushed for a roster spot with a strong training camp in which he finished second on the squad with 13 tackles. That’s more than twice as many as Ford (five) and Wyatt (one) combined.